Football: Valencia's 4-1 thrashing of Real Madrid not about 'answering critics'

Academy product Soler, 23, nets hat-trick against champions as club backs home-grown talents

Valencia midfielder Carlos Soler (kneeling) celebrates after scoring a goal in their 4-1 win over Real Madrid at the Mestalla stadium on Sunday as Uros Racic joins in. PHOTO: AFP
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SINGAPORE - Following fan unrest and a severe tightening of purse strings that resulted in the unloading of eight first-team players with no new permanent signings this season, Valencia did the talking on the pitch as they came from behind to thrash Real Madrid 4-1 at the Mestalla in La Liga on Sunday (Nov 8).

Despite what had looked set to be a chaotic campaign, Valencia have produced a statement win to add to previous victories at Real Sociedad (1-0) and at home to Levante (4-2).

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